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Staff Connections: Calling All Staff Members

The Staff Connections Committee believes in creating a stronger Lawrence community where staff members have the opportunity to create and develop personal and professional connections across faculty and staff, voice opinions about their community, and work with administration in order to foster the understanding of the needs of staff.

Last year, Staff Connections announced their rebranding in response to your feedback on increasing staff representation in shared governance. As the committee continues to put effort into this rebranding, we are seeking to grow our committee and would like to invite any staff members who are interested in taking part in this rebranding. This is an opportunity for professional development where you can impact the campus greatly. Currently, we are looking for staff representatives for the Lawrence Pandemic Planning Team (LPPT) and Financial Planning Committee (FPC).

If you are interested in being part of this rebranding or being the staff representative on the LPPT or FPC, please reach out to Staff Connections at staff_connection@lawrence.edu or complete the staff member form on our webpage. 

We look forward to working with you!

Free Webinars and Monthly Live Talks Provided by ERC

Did you know our Employee Assistance Program, ERC, provides free webinars and live talks on various topics? Here is what’s coming up this month:

  • Parenting Your Teen: Effective Homework Skills – September 9th from 12:00 – 1:00pm
    • Provides tips on how to promote effective study and homework habits. Participants will go over the role of parents, helping children with homework, tutoring options, working with teachers and encouraging learning outside of school.
  • Parenting a Child with Special Needs/Disabilities: Education – September 14th from 12:00 – 1:00pm
    • This talk centers on identifying strategies and resources to provide essential support to successfully educate and enrich the lives of children with special needs/disabilities.
  • Caregivers Network: Caregiver Shopping Tips & Tricks – September 15th from 12:00 – 1:00pm
    • What are the essential services, products and devices caregivers may need when caring for an older loved one? This month’s talk will help prepare participants for what to buy, where to buy it and what it will cost.
  • Succeed at Work: Increasing Mental Toughness – September 16th from 12:00 – 1:00pm
    • Explores how to use challenging times as an opportunity to increase mental toughness and find a positive way to look at negative events. Participants will discuss what is means to be mentally tough and will also dive into the topic of “Grit.”
  • Strong Parents, Strong Families: Encouraging Effective Homework & Study Habits – September 22nd from 12:00 – 1:00pm
    • The discussion will include: the role of parents/guardians, helping children with homework, tutoring options, working with teacher(s), and encouraging learning outside of school.
  • Your Healthy Lifestyle: Promote Family Health – September 23rd from 12:00 – 1:00pm
    • This talk is designed to empower people with knowledge to promote healthy living on the home front. We will discuss the benefits of healthy living, nutrition and exercise, doctor’s involvement, and how to have informed conversations with children.

Click here to register for any of the upcoming monthly talks. To login to their website and view more resources, use the following credentials:

  • Username: ERC
  • Password: ERC

Fall 2021 Plan Q&A with Mark

Following the announcement of Fall 2021 plans in late April, we are planning a live question and answer session for faculty and staff.  Here are the logistics:

Meeting Date & Time: Wednesday, June 9 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Click here to join the June 9 meeting Zoom

If you are unable to attend, we will be recording the meeting and will send a link after.

Submitting your Questions

You are encouraged to submit questions ahead of the meeting here. The meeting will have an active chat function and questions can be submitted using this feature as well. We will cover as many questions as possible during the allotted time.

We look forward to seeing you at the Q&A session.

Staff Connections: All-Staff Recording + Membership

Thank you to those who attended and submitted their feedback for the Spring All-Staff Meeting on Tuesday! For those who were unable to attend, the Zoom recording is posted on the Staff Connections webpage (login required).

Staff may submit additional questions and concerns via our anonymous form, and we will present them to senior leadership.

As was mentioned during the meeting, Staff Connections is looking for new members as we prepare for our rebranding! In response to your feedback, we want to shift our focus from social event planning toward enhancing communication to increase staff representation in shared governance. We seek to mirror the Faculty Governance Committee in creating a space for staff to more regularly meet and be given the platform to voice their opinions at a higher level.

This is a great opportunity to make your voice heard and make a difference! Interested staff members may volunteer via the form on our webpage or send an email to staff_connection@lawrence.edu. Together, we can ensure the committee grows into something that best represents and meets the needs of our diverse staff.

2021 Senior Art Show

The 2021 Senior Art Show will be open to visitors by appointment:
May 28 – June 25
Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Additional hours during Commencement Weekend:
Friday, June 11, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, June 12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 13, 12 to 2 p.m.

Complete this form to request a time to visit to the Senior Art Show. Additional visit dates/times can be arranged by request, contact Beth Zinsli at: beth.a.zinsli@lawrence.edu.

On-campus folks: include information for any off-campus visitors and gallery staff will submit a guest registration form for you; you will be expected to escort the visitors around during their visit to Wriston. All visitors must adhere to Lawrence University’s safety guidelines while viewing the exhibition.

2021 Senior Art Show Postcard

Transitions and Walls

As we prepare to close this term, you are invited to be open with yourself and the community. Reflect on your hopes for yourself and the understanding you encourage from others. Give thanks for memories gained, grieve for experiences lost, or reflect on how those concepts help define each other. Wish meaningful transitions for yourself.

The Library and the Center for Spiritual and Religious Life will all be host to a space that allows you to be open by placing your intentions, wishes, hopes, thanksgiving, fears, confessions, questions, or prayers into the “wall” regardless of background or beliefs. (A remote option will be available through the Spiritual and Religious Life webpage.)

Spiritual and Religious Life understands prayer to be many different things for the members of our community. In all times and traditions, it is a way of being in the moment, being present, and opening your heart, soul, and mind to connection.

At the end of term we will dismantle the wall and collect the prayers. They will be released, unopened, to the universe through burning.

Opportunity Knocks from the Career Center – Student Diversity in Conservation Internship

Lawrence is pleased to announce our first Student Diversity in Conservation Internship cohort for Summer 2021. This internship program has been designed to expose historically underrepresented students in the field of conservation to career opportunities and pathways in this area. Participants will have an opportunity to intern with a conservation organization and explore careers in natural resource conservation based on their unique interests. Students from historically underrepresented groups in the field of conservation are encouraged to apply.

Three students who are accepted into the cohort will receive a stipend of $5,000 each to complete a Summer 2021 internship at one of the host organizations (Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust, Pheasants Forever, Wisconsin Wetlands Association).

For program details and to apply, see Handshake (application deadline is May 31).   If you have questions or would like help with your application materials, please make an appointment here with Jacklyn Fischer, advisor to the HMP and PHN Career Communities.

Honoring President Burstein

The entire Lawrence University community is invited to celebrate President Mark Burstein on Saturday, May 15, from 2-5 p.m on the Main Hall Green. 

The day will start with the LU community cheering on Mark as he makes his LAST LAP around campus. The lap will end at the library plaza and be followed by good food and music. Social distancing protocols will be observed during the parade, food, and music event!

Those who cannot physically make it to the event, do have an option to purchase a cardboard cutout of yourself place along the route.

More information on the event can be found on the LUCC Facebook page.

The Lawrentian and LUCC are also looking to reprise the Ariel yearbook for a special 2013-2021 edition to celebrate President Burstein’s time on campus. We are seeking photos from the LU community for this unique gift.  f you have photos to contribute, please share them by emailing them to Lawrentian@lawrence.edu and LUCC@lawrence.edu.

Reminder – Antiracism Training for Faculty and Staff with the Perception Institute

Remember to sign up for this training taking place tomorrow, May 7, 11 AM to 2 PM CT with facilitators from the Perception Institute.

This is an opportunity for faculty and staff to participate in antiracism training. The approach of the Perception Institute is informed from the mind science concepts related to cognitive psychology, social psychology, and neuroscience.

The Perception Institute works to support institutions in their efforts to advance equity and belonging and to understand how identity differences can lead to “othering.” They use a foundational “brick” that helps provide understanding on how belonging is practiced:

B – Belonging. The feeling of being valued and seen.
R – Respect. Being treated as an equal with perspectives and contributions
recognized.
I  – Investment. The contribution of funds through an equity lens.
C – Conversation. The ability to engage in communication around identity
difference.
K – Kindness. Treating all people with genuine concern

To register, contact Cindy Pickart (cindy.j.pickart@lawrence.edu). Sign up today!

Free Webinars and Monthly Live Talks Provided by ERC

Did you know our Employee Assistance Program, ERC, provides free webinars and live talks on various topics? Here is what’s coming up this month:

  • Resiliency Today: Managing Strong Emotions – May 6th from 12:00 – 1:00pm
    • Participants go beyond identifying emotions and learn state-of-the art techniques and real strategies to help stay cool when in the grip of strong emotions.
  • Parenting a Child with Special Needs: Balancing Full Family Needs – May 11th from 12:00 – 1:00pm
    • Focuses on Work-Life satisfaction and how to make this happen in your life.
  • Financial Wellness: All Things Insurance – May 12th from 12:00 – 1:00pm
    • It’s crucial to protect what you have. Will you be able to pay your bills if you’re temporarily (or permanently) disabled? How can you save on home and auto insurance and still be adequately protected? Learn about these issues and more in this enlightening talk.
  • Parenting Your Teen: At-Risk Behaviors – May 13th from 12:00 – 1:00pm
    • Explore the essential facts of at-risk behaviors and parents will have an opportunity to frankly discuss their fears. Learn what you really need to know, what to do and what NOT to do.
  • Caregivers Network: Give and Get Gratitude – May 19th from 12:00 – 1:00pm
    • Participants will learn how to find the silver linings in caregiving, how to practice gratitude and how to use the Gratitude Assessment Tool to see how they score on the gratitude scale.
  • Succeed at Work: The Positive Effects of Self Esteem on Performance – May 20th from 12:00 – 1:00pm
    • Outline a way to rewire your brain to be more optimistic and increase self-confidence. Participants will also discuss ways to build self-esteem and how to control negative thoughts.
  • Strong Parents, Strong Families: Resiliency for Working Parents – May 26th from 12:00 – 1:00pm
    • This will give you the tools to manage stress while maintaining a sense of work and family life balance.
  • Your Healthy Lifestyle: Relaxation Techniques – May 27th from 12:00 – 1:00pm
    • Meditation workshop that will teach relaxation exercises that reduce tension and stress. Participants will better understand stress and how it affects the body, learn the benefits of relaxation practices, and introduce stress management techniques.

Click here to register for any of the upcoming monthly talks. To log in to their website and view more resources, use the following credentials:

  • Username: ERC
  • Password: ERC